AMA Praises Near Unanimous Votes to Fix Medicare by Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees

"The American Medical Association strongly commends members of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee for the tremendous progress they have made toward repealing Medicare's failed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula and creating a stronger Medicare program.

"Today's strong, bipartisan votes by the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means committees, following similar action last July by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, shows that there is overwhelming, bipartisan support for ending SGR in a fiscally responsible manner and closing the book on the annual cycle of draconian Medicare physician payment cuts and short-term patches. This long-overdue policy change provides the stability that physicians need to pursue delivery innovations that help improve patient care and reduce costs for American taxpayers.

"The AMA will continue to work collaboratively with Congress so that a bipartisan agreement can be signed into law early next year to repeal the failed SGR payment formula."